‘Be Water Wise’ event

South West Water and Exeter City Council are working together to help people make informed choices and decisions about their water usage.

South West Water has trained some of the Council’s staff so they are able to promote and highlight the potential financial benefits of switching to a water meter and give information about the company's support schemes available to people who may be struggling to pay their bills.

Each year, some 20,000 people in Devon and Cornwall save an average of between £300-£400 per household on their water bills by having a water meter fitted, and by working together Exeter City Council staff can support people through the process of switching and saving.

Monica Read, South West Water's Customer Relations Director, said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with Exeter City Council to promote the range of support measures we have in place to help people who may be struggling to pay their bills.”

Lawrence Blake, Housing Operations Manager at Exeter City Council said “Partnership working with local organisations plays a key role in enabling us to meet one of key purposes to help people get back to financial independence.”

To celebrate the start of the working relationship, the two organisations are hosting a ‘Be Water Wise’ event on Wednesday 10 July 2013 from 11am – 3pm at Wonford Sports Centre Car Park. Advisors from South West Water will be available to give advice on how to save water and money and Neighbourhood Housing Officers from the Council will be on hand to give information on rent, benefits and downsizing.

Volunteers from the Citizen Advice Bureaux Exeter are also supporting the event and will be available to offer benefit and debt advice.